Open Class - Defining NoName in One Word
NoName was a girl who defied easy definition with just a single word. The first term that came to mind was undoubtedly genius. Parents who used to nag their kids, "Why can't you work as hard as Nami?" fell silent after watching her on that genius discovery show. Even if they swapped places with their child and attended the academy themselves right now, they couldn't guarantee they'd outperform her.
Parents usually welcomed having a smart kid as a friend with open arms, but her unique background posed a problem. "Victim of the Walpurgis terrorist attack." And recently, the whole world had buzzed when she was hit by a bomb during a live stream. It was first pinned on a psychopath male driven by inferiority complex, but ties to Walpurgis emerged, leading prosecutors to seek the death penalty under anti-terrorism laws.
Any normal kid would've been traumatized, holing up at home for years, but NoName had the audacity to film a video mocking the terrorists. Good or bad, she wasn't your average child. If she kept growing like this, she'd etch her name in Korean history. But whether she'd survive unscathed to adulthood was anyone's guess.
"What do you think, Yohan?"
"Huh?"
"About Nami. What kind of friend is she?"
So parents decided to ask their own kids directly. Media stories were always distorted anyway.
"She's kind and cute, but super strong too."
"Strong?"
"Yeah. She beat Joon at arm wrestling this morning!"
"Really? She's pretty tough, huh?"
"You know what? Nami's amazing at cat's cradle—even in genius mode, she's done it solo for over a hundred turns, and..."
"Got it, Yohan. Class is starting soon, so go sit down. Mom's just gonna chat with the other parents for a bit. Listen hard in class, okay?"
"Yeah! See you at lunch."
Not all parents could observe class at once due to space limits. During the break after fourth period, the ones in the hallway exchanged warm greetings and caught up on recent news. Among them was Hong Joon's dad, the former pro fighter turned TV personality active on variety shows. His intimidating presence made it obvious where his kid got his genes.
And that wasn't all. I Ha-ru's dad, president and COO of Samyeon Link, was showing his face for the first time; Kim Han-gyeol's parents, both busy as partner magic scholars with the Raon Clan, were there too. All big names, but the central figure was someone else: Cheon Kyujin, the Korea University professor who'd spotted her talent while she scraped by at a PC bang and decided to adopt her.
"Kids these days do arm wrestling during breaks, huh?"
Yohan's mom broke the awkward ice first.
"Hahaha! I thought no one could beat my Joon, but he couldn't budge against Nami or Yuna. And the kid's such a shy guy too."
"Girls this age handle aura better anyway! Joon's got natural talent—he'll be unstoppable later."
"Joon's so bright and polite too. How do you raise kids so well? I'm jealous!"
"Nah. We've got three gruff sons at home—my wife nags me every day that she'd be happy with a cute daughter like Nami. Right, Nami's dad?"
"Ah, yes..."
There were three breaks, but each time, Professor Cheon missed his chance to talk to NoName. She always went to the bathroom with friends and returned just before class. He wondered if she was deliberately avoiding him.
"Anyway, is Nami doing okay physically? No lingering effects? How could something so horrific happen to a child...?"
"Gotta teach my kid never to accept unknown packages from now on."
Fourth period dragged on without much fanfare. After lunch, in fifth period, Jacqueline Carol announced that class would be in the auditorium for students and parents. The academy's sparring practice schedule was kicking off in earnest. The homeroom teacher explained the activities and how they'd select grade reps for the inter-academy tournament ahead.
This was when kids' talents truly sorted themselves out. Sure, late bloomers existed, but parents naturally hoped their own child would shine ahead of the pack.
As fourth-period music wound down and the recorders faded...
"Who's that...?"
From the end of the hall, a woman approached slowly, gripping the hands of two young men on either side. No designer clothes or stylish flair like the younger parents. Petite and frail, she seemed unable to walk alone without their support. Yet each step forward burned with fierce determination.
The parents' chatter hushed as she reached Class 2-A. Her face suddenly overlapped with one of the girls in the class.
"Hello. It's my first time at something like this—things have been hectic."
She bowed politely, her slightly husky, cracked voice drawing eyes.
"H-hello...?"
The other parents returned awkward greetings, but she beamed like it was the greatest joy.
"Yes, nice to meet you all. I'm Seo Yu-na's mother."
Seo Maru and Seo Noeul suddenly saying they'd come see me—I thought it was nonsense. Yuna's mom had recently started walking practice alongside rehab at the hospital. Her condition had improved enough that she could manage alone, though still shaky. Yuna didn't know yet.
So her mom's open class visit was a surprise for Yuna.
"Yuna, come here a sec."
"Hm?"
She's out in the hall now. I gently combed her red bangs with a hair pick to make her look pretty. Didn't forget to wipe the white spittle from her lips after blowing the recorder.
"Eung, stop it now!"
"You look cute, Yuna."
"Whatever, let's go eat lunch already."
She doesn't even acknowledge my compliments anymore.
"Not eating lunch today, Nami?"
Seeing me still at my seat, Yuna U-turned from bolting out the door.
"Gonna eat with my parents. You can't just ditch with friends and leave them feeling bad, right?"
"Oh yeah... Your dad's here... Yeah... Enjoy..."
Yuna's lips pouted.
"Not me. You, Seo Yu-na."
"...?"
I spun her 180 degrees and pointed out the window. Towering head-and-shoulders above the crowd was Seo Noeul, Seo Maru beside him. And through the wide-open back door waited the person Yuna loved most, watching eagerly.
Yuna's mom.
"M-Mom...? Mom!"
Yuna shot out like an arrow and hugged her mom tight. I rose slowly and followed.
"Aigoo, it's been ages since I heard our Yuna's booming voice!"
"Hic... M-Mom... Hic... What? You were at the hospital yesterday... Why are you here... Sob..."
"Came to see Yuna. Can't Mom come?"
"Nooo... Waaah."
Yuna burst into tears in her mom's arms. Petite as she was, she could easily hold her young daughter. The sudden mother-daughter reunion kept Yuna's tears flowing endlessly. After wailing like a baby for a good while, she finally felt embarrassed, whipping her head away to scrub her face with her sleeve.
Only me and Professor Cheon in class—who's there to be shy about?
"All cried out?"
"Ugh... No... Hic..."
Why deny it?
"You look much better than before, ma'am. No wheelchair, and already in rehab?"
"Gotta get better fast to stroll with Yuna alone. Can't keep bothering my sons forever."
"Mom, we're not bothered at all!"
"You say that, you rascals. Nami, if Maru skips school, tell me right away? I'll give him a good scolding."
"Haha, sure. I'll keep in touch."
"Hey, NoName! When did I ever skip? You're the one streaming—"
Editor Seo Maru bristled, then spotted Professor Cheon behind me and clammed up.
"Shall we all go grab lunch?"
Long line now, but no choice. We hadn't packed any.
Yuna scampered back to me, grabbed my hand, and swung our arms wildly like an excited puppy wagging its tail. Professor Cheon trailed awkwardly at a distance. So cautious about everything—it made my chest tight sometimes.
I snatched his rough hand with my free left one and looked up.
"Professor Cheon!"